Nashville Predators Claim Zach Boychuk on Waivers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club claimed forward Zach Boychuk on waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins and placed forward Brandon Yip on injured reserve. Boychuk is on a two-way contract worth $625,000 and the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level in 2012-13.

Boychuk, 23 (10/4/89), has been held scoreless in eight NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes in 2012-13. In 80 career NHL contests since 2008-09, the Airdrie, Alta., native has 18 points (7g-11a) in 80 career contests with Pittsburgh and Carolina. Boychuk started the 2012-13 season with Carolina’s primary developmental affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, amassing 32 points (16g-16a) in 37 games.

Drafted by the Hurricanes in the first round (14th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Boychuk was a member of back-to-back Canadian World Junior Championship-winning teams in 2008 and 2009. He was teammates with current Predator forward Matt Halischuk on the 2008 team, and Preds defenseman Ryan Ellis on the 2009 team.